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⇒ Trait, ‘Sombra,’ has detected a demon.

I sensed the demon’s scent on Sword Saint, Hayden Reich.

Did he perhaps kill a demon very recently?

Impossible.

Suppressing the rising doubt within my heart, I shifted my gaze towards Hayden.

“Master.”

The first to speak was not me, but Linne.

She tried to maintain her composure, but her eyes were visibly shaking.

“What is it, Linne?”

“Why…”

About to ask something, Linne took a breath, seeming to have made up her mind, then began to speak.

“Did you really… seek asylum in the Holy Nation?”

Linne’s straightforward question also piqued my interest.

I had seen many stories unfold, but there was no storyline where the Sword Saint goes to the Holy Nation.

“As an imperial knight, you told me to take pride and serve as a faithful citizen, didn’t you?”

“That’s right.”

“Then why would you—”

Linne trailed off, looking at Hayden.

Her hands trembled as she struggled to continue speaking, waiting instead for Hayden to speak.

“It seems the Master we knew is no longer noble.”

Feeling pity for her, I was the first to speak.

It must be a great sense of betrayal.

After her father’s death, the ‘Master’ along with the Sword Saint had filled that void.

“Please don’t speak like that.”

“Then do not harbor doubts about the Master’s choices. Understand that he harshly abandoned those who followed him and silently sought asylum in the Holy Nation, even abandoning you, his apprentice.”

As I continued, Linne’s face crumpled, likely not out of displeasure at my words, but from the heart-wrenching pain and betrayal by someone she trusted.

I also felt the conversation was getting too long.

‘Julian’ wouldn’t have done this. He would have drawn his sword and fought.

But this is where self-objectivity is possible.

The existence of the ‘Sword Saint’ had great significance to me too.

“…I’m sorry.”

Finally, after a long silence, the Sword Saint spoke.

“Linne, I have nothing to say to you. I knew my choice would hurt you, yet I gave you no hint of it.”

Despite Hayden’s apology, Linne said nothing, couldn’t say anything.

Her hands trembled on her knees, and her bright eyes were now tinged red.

“That’s why I have a proposal for you. In fact, I recommended you to His Majesty Ulysses for this reason.”

I silently listened to the conversation.

Surely it was going to be an absurd story, so I braced myself mentally.

“Why not leave the empire and seek asylum in the Holy Nation?”

This guy must be insane.

***

She thought it was a cruel joke played on her, a disciple of the Sword Saint.

It was the Sword Saint himself, his proposal that woke her from such thoughts.

-‘Why not leave the empire and seek asylum in the Holy Nation?’

Hearing this, Linne truly felt the impact of Sword Saint’s defection to the Holy Nation deep in her heart.

The emotions were exactly ‘confusion’ and ‘anxiety’.

‘So, it’s true then, Master…’ 

It was really an absurd proposal.

She didn’t immediately draw her sword to strike his neck because the person who made the proposal carried significant weight to her.

The most noble Sword Saint.

The one who showed her a new path.

Because she couldn’t simply dismiss the proposal of the person she respected as a joke, she was plunged into contemplation.

“I, I…”

Her instinct was telling her to refuse.

But.

‘Master wouldn’t suggest this without a reason. There must be something.’

Linne slightly lifted her head to look into Hayden’s eyes.

As always, his expression contained a kind smile and his eyes were full of concern for her.

If she were to refuse.

‘He would be greatly disappointed.’

With that thought, Linne found it difficult to start speaking.

“Am I not a member of the ‘Closed Eyes,’ and you dare to mention ‘asylum’ to me, Master?”

Then Julian suddenly joined in the conversation between Linne and Hayden.

As usual, he hid his inner thoughts behind a smile, but those who had known him long could sense a hint of anger and displeasure in him.

“I knew you would be upset. It’s not something I should say to you, but what do you think?”

“Are you suggesting I, a hound of the royal court, should seek asylum in the Holy Nation? Haha. I politely refuse.”

“Don’t you want my head? Being closer would only increase your chances.”

Linne was already aware of this fact, that Julian was obsessed with the name of their master, the ‘Sword Saint.’

This also proved more than anything that he acknowledged the Sword Saint and wanted his recognition.

Thus, Linne felt slightly tense at the possibility that Julian might accept the proposal.

However, mocking her, Julian invariably laughed briefly with an annoying expression.

“A tiger dies for its hide, a man dies for his name. Because there is value in it.”

“I know. I told you so myself.”

“But who would desire a name that has fallen to the ground? It would only dirty their hands.”

He was a man of consistent principles.

To protect his own honor, he would ignore the downfall of others, thinking only of himself.

Thinking this, Linne looked at her master, curious about the expression he was making.

“Well, I knew you would answer that way.”

Hayden nodded as if it were expected, shifting his kind smile towards Linne, although.

“I too will refuse.”

Hayden had anticipated Julian’s refusal, but the disappointment was evident on his face when Linne refused as well.

“Just like my father did, I too am a citizen of the empire.”

It was a difficult answer to voice out loud, but Linne was able to steady her heart with Julian’s resolute attitude.

Even though she did not resonate with what he said, she could respect the loyalty to the empire they belonged to.

Moreover, once she spoke out, she felt as if a weight had been lifted off her chest.

“Right.”

The look of disappointment on Hayden’s face soon disappeared.

“It was an ignorant proposal to begin with, given that you came here to escort the prince.”

Taking a self-deprecating stance, Hayden quickly regained his kind smile and stroked his chin with his hand.

In the brief moment of silence that might have ensued,

“I have one question I’d like to ask. Master.”

This story’s key figure is Julian.

“Anytime.”

Hayden confidently shouts with his arms wide open, to which Julian delivers a pointed remark.

“Do you realize what has happened to your body?”

‘What is he talking about?’

Linne looked puzzled by Julian’s words.

It was a question that made no sense in context.

“Hmm.”

However, Hayden, the master, seemed intrigued, as if he had been waiting for this comment.

“I’m not sure what you’re trying to say, Julian.”

“Don’t you know? That body of yours, on the verge of death.”

Snap!

Julian placed his hand on his waistband, just as he had when they first met.

“Isn’t the demonization progressing?”

Shocked by Julian’s words, Linne gasped.

She wanted to ask what he meant, but the unbelievable truth made it hard for her to speak.

“Master?”

‘Impossible.’

Linne denied it repeatedly, thinking it couldn’t be true.

“You’ve noticed, I see.”

Hayden acknowledged Julian’s words.

“It can’t be…”

Linne’s complexion turned pale at her master’s neat acknowledgment.

The tone of their conversation might seem casual and insignificant, but the content was far from it.

If demonization progresses, the person loses their self and becomes a ‘demon.’ It means losing human dignity and turning into a monster that attacks people.

“Could it be that you chose this foolish asylum to stop the demonization?”

Julian’s emotionless statement made Linne somewhat understand her master’s choice of asylum.

There might be methods available in the Holy Nation that the Empire lacks, and the master might have known this when he chose to seek asylum.

“Maybe.”

Hayden’s non-committal answer deflated the mood.

“There’s no reason I need to explain.”

“Are you trying to hide something?”

“Isn’t it mutual? Julian, like you hide things, I think there are things I need to hide too.”

At the master’s words, Linne also shook her head.

She well knew that the sinister Julian had many secrets.

She had tried to unravel them, but like something wrapped in a veil, the details, or anything certain, remained elusive.

But what about Master Hayden?

It seemed he saw right through Julian’s vague something.

“Is that so? Haha.”

An ordinary person might have sweated coldly at the Sword Saint’s sharp words, but Julian was unfazed.

Still wearing his annoying smile, Julian responded calmly, making Linne shake her head in disbelief.

“You seem impulsive, but that character trait of coldly moving on when needed remains the same, Julian.”

Strangely, Julian seemed slightly displeased by the remark ‘the character remains the same.’

“Master, you have changed a lot.”

“People change. It’s inevitable.”

“You also know, Master. There is no technique in the Holy Nation to stop demonization.”

Julian slowly stood up from his seat.

“What then is the reason for the ongoing demonization? Why seek asylum in the Holy Nation? I may not know exactly, but I have a guess.”

He did not reach for the sword at his waist, but the aura emanating from him was as sharp as if he had drawn it.

“Master, it was not by coercion, but willingly that you embedded demonic energy within yourself, and it was the Holy Nation that facilitated this process.”

Swoosh!

No sooner had the words left his mouth than Julian drew his sword from its sheath.

“Drawing your sword again, I see. Are you sure about this? This time it won’t end with mere pleasantries.”

“Not only did he betray the Empire, but he is also becoming a demon.”

A beautiful sword made of gems. When she heard it was made from ‘Dusk Flame’, she thought it would break soon after getting it.

Yet, it still proved itself as a worthy gem sword.

“I see no reason not to strike.”

“Is it not merely to satisfy your personal greed?”

“Haha, maybe there’s a bit of personal desire, but what of it?”

“The belly is bigger than the beast.”

Hayden, scoffing at the absurdity, turned his gaze to Linne.

The nuance was as if he was asking her to stop this madness, but she shook her head from side to side.

“Master, why don’t you deny what Sir Julian is saying?”

“What are you talking about?”

“That you have… implanted demonic energy into your own body…”

“Haa.”

Hayden sighed.

“Since when have you started taking Julian’s words so seriously? You’ve always despised him and denied all his actions.”

“That’s… “

The master stated the most fundamental reason why she disliked Julian, but Linne, pausing briefly, then lifted her head.

“In situations like this, he doesn’t lie.”

She knew.

He’s called the ‘smiling executioner’, a demon with a human face, pointed at with fingers.

Lately, he hasn’t lied to her, especially not in such circumstances.

And even though he hides himself thoroughly with ‘narrow eyes’ and inscrutable smiles, to Hayden Reich he would have laid everything bare.

“That’s unfortunate.”

Hayden murmured to himself in a whisper.

At the same time, an immense magical force began to emanate from his body.

“Ugh…”

The demonic energy was so intense that it was difficult to even move a finger, let alone take a step.

At this level, it was similar to or even greater than the demonic energy of a Tri-horn Demon.

‘Not only demonization…To use that power fully.’

Julian’s words reinforced the claim that the Sword Saint had willingly undergone demonization.

‘Why?’

How could her master, who was once so noble, have become like this?

Drip.

At that moment of doubt, Linne felt blood trickle down from her nose.

This was a phenomenon that occurred when one was exposed to strong demonic energy without protecting oneself with mana.

Soon, headaches and chills overcame her.

‘Keep your mind…’

Her eyes started to lose focus, but the oppressive demonic energy pressing down on her began to lighten.

“Sir Julian?”

It was because Julian, who had stepped forward, was shielding her from the demonic energy emanating from Hayden.

To handle such a sudden release of demonic energy so naturally…

Linne was astounded by his capability.

Hayden felt the same.

“Even without wrapping yourself in an aura, to handle demonic energy this easily, you truly are…”

Before he could continue, a flash-like strike was directed at Hayden.

Hayden, similarly drawing his sword in response, clashed metal with metal, creating a chilling sound.

As if prophesying their future.

Thus, the second greeting began.

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The Holy Nation of Fernand.

There are several reasons why I came here, but the most important one, the one to satisfy my own desires, is indeed present. Haha, it’s something you absolutely can’t find anywhere else.

“Each one is well-maintained, so you will be satisfied.”

Are you asking if it’s a weapon? Huh. I already have the Moonlight Sword. Nor is it armor. The aura wrapped around ‘Julian’ blocks most attacks like armor would.

What I am here to buy is… orchids.

Some might say it’s just ‘orchids,’ but that’s ignorant talk.

The orchids that exist in the Empire and those in the Holy Nation are clearly different forms.

If I had to compare, the orchids from the Empire are like Eastern orchids, while those grown in the Holy Nation are like Western orchids. Although that classification is incorrect, it’s an easy way to put it.

As I examined the pots prepared by the florist, I cautiously asked him,

“May I touch them with my hands?”

“Oh, of course, you can!”

Once the owner gave permission, I started to feel the orchids with my hands.

“Not bad at all.”

I felt a rather ticklish texture as I brushed my hands over the orchids, and a satisfied smile formed on my face.

“I would like to buy these two.”

“You’ve chosen the Lingia orchid and the Pravincia. You have great taste. These are very rare orchids that only grow in the Holy Nation.”

I smiled through the florist’s flattering words and proceeded with the payment.

It was uncertain if the Empire’s currency ‘Nar’ would be accepted here, but the owner readily accepted it. Though I did pay a bit more.

“Really, coming to the market to buy orchids…”

Linne, who accompanied me, clicked her tongue as if she couldn’t understand me.

“Why don’t you take some personal time in a foreign country instead of following me around, Miss Linne?”

She shook her head adamantly, her expression sullen, as if she didn’t need it.

“A wielder of the sword, or rather, a manipulator of mana, needs to be honest about their desires, Miss Linne.”

“What does desire have to do with mana?”

“Because mana greatly responds to the desires of its user.”

Linne gave a look that said, ‘What are you talking about,’ then shrugged her shoulders and turned her head towards the pots.

“Can these be taken back to the Empire? It seems like only one can hang on the saddle given their size.”

“Hmm…?”

Her comment was unexpected. Linne’s words made me take another look at the pots.

I hadn’t even thought about that when buying them.

“That’s problematic. I liked these two.”

Should I buy something smaller?

Pretending to ponder, I looked at Linne.

“It can’t be helped. One can hang on my horse.”

“Are you sure?”

“Yes, since you also corrected my riding technique.”

“No. I’m asking if with that skill you can really carry anything on the saddle.”

Linne looked at me with half-closed eyes, smiling.

“It’s a joke, Miss Linne. Thank you for your consideration.”

Creak, creak!

Just then, an unsettling metallic noise rang out in the bustling market.

Linne flinched and turned her head toward the sound, but I had known from afar.

‘That’ was coming.

Clatter. Clatter.

Behind the cart pulled by horses, there was a huge iron cage, and inside it,

“A demon?”

Yes. Inside that iron cage, the demon was drooling, looking around restlessly.

“It seems to be a beast-type demon. Seeing that it has no horns,

it appears to lack even a speck of intelligence.”

“You can tell by looking. That’s not the point of what I’m saying.”

I know.

Though trapped in an iron cage, the question is why the demon is here.

Then it would be only proper to explain.

“There is a vulgar culture in the Holy Nation.”

“A vulgar culture?”

“Yes.”

In fact, I had not planned to speak so strongly, but it seems ‘Julian’ does not like ‘it’ very much.

“It’s an arena.”

“An arena? Are you talking about the kind of arena I know?”

“Probably. A place where flies flock, risking their own lives for entertainment and money.”

Having said it, I understood why Julian instinctively disliked the arena.

Those who participate in the arena swing their swords not for personal honor or self-improvement but solely for the amusement of others.

Of course, there are various reasons, but the sight of struggling like a bug barely surviving the day is unpleasant.

“……But, aren’t there arenas in the empire as well?”

“Yes, there are. However, arenas that pit demon against demon, and further, demon against human, do not exist in our empire.”

They exist only in this Holy Nation.

Seeing the physical reaction, it could be one of the reasons why he hates demons pathologically.

Listening to me, Linne’s eyes grew cold.

“Then, the iron cage holding this demon is headed to the arena Julian spoke of.”

“Do you understand why I called it ‘vulgar’?”

Linne looked up and around.

The pristine white buildings and the restrained beauty that could be seen made her sigh softly and nod weakly.

“It’s a bit shocking. I really liked the scenery of the capital. I thought it was a dignified place befitting the name of the Holy Nation.”

“Those who embellish themselves with fancy words are those who lack their essence. Just as a country of gentlemen has no gentlemen, the Holy Nation inherently lacks sanctity.”

Of course, this is a highly personal theory, and later, it will be one of Julian’s quotes.

-Isn’t there darkness because there is light, Master?

“That’s also true.”

“Thank you for thinking so.”

“Then, those who usually boast about their loyalty to the royal family, or claim to have reached the pinnacle of swordsmanship, they don’t really possess those qualities, do they?”

You’ve grown up. Knowing how to subtly turn the conversation.

“It’s a joke, Sir Julian. Thank you for explaining and being considerate.”

Linne smiled faintly.

That hit the mark.

Thinking this, I picked up the calculated vase and headed to the villa assigned by the Archdeacon.

Tap tap

As we were turning, Linne tapped my back with her finger.

“There are three people tailing us.”

“I know.”

After purchasing the vase, I had already noticed that three presences were following us.

“You knew? Then why were you so calm?”

It’s always been like this.

Moreover, accumulated experience has allowed me to make quick judgments.

“Apparently, they’re not intending to attack. They’re just monitoring us as foreigners.”

“How do you know?”

By intuition, as someone who has been followed multiple times before, it’s the instinct of an experienced person.

As expected, there was no sign of mana, aura, or murderous intent from those following us.

‘They must be related to Archdeacon Garoth.’

Not that we were followed immediately upon entering the Holy Nation, but after we spoke with Archdeacon Garoth.

Still, I can overlook this much.

If I were to apprehend them and something were to happen, it would only cause more trouble.

Hmm?

Despite my hopes, there were unwelcome figures at the entrance of the villa.

Two clerics in formal attire. And a man armed like a knight, similar to Prasion.

‘Who are they?’

If they were notable figures in the Holy Nation, I would somewhat recognize them, but these faces are completely new.

Hmm, but it seems not the case for them.

As I made eye contact with one man, he emitted a fierce <Color of Negation> above his head.

A blood-red hue, anger.

With such a clear emotion, even showing a hint of unfamiliarity could provoke his anger.

“Julian……!”

Grinding his teeth, the man approached me.

Who is he? I really don’t know. What should I say?

“Calm your emotions, Idel.”

Then, suddenly, a baritone voice interjected.

At the all-too-familiar voice, Linne and I turned around involuntarily.

A familiar face appeared.

His stark white hair made more prominent by his deep black hair.

And his hands, heavily calloused.

His weary brown eyes and sharp gaze contrasted starkly.

It’s the face that could be seen on the cover of <Let’s Kill the Demon Lord>.

“Master…………, Sir Julian!”

Linne’s urgent cry came from beside me.

The moment I realized the reason, I was already kicking off the ground and swinging my sword.

Clang!

But the middle-aged man blocked my sword with ease, as if accustomed to it.

“Your temperament is still the same, Julian. To swing a sword instead of greeting, I mean.”

The man I was confronting spoke with a remarkably relaxed expression.

“Did you enjoy the greeting I’ve given you after such a long time, Master? Have you been well?”

I responded just as calmly, even showing a slight smile,

‘Like a madman!’

Seeing Hayden Reich in front of me, my body reacted as if it were only natural.

And in my mind, one side was screaming incessantly with murderous intent.

Kill this man.

Kill this man who insulted you and excommunicated you.

‘Shut up. Just.’

Suppressing Julian’s instincts as much as possible, in the moment I tried to escape this situation, I felt a chilling flow of mana.

“Can’t you see by looking at me now whether I’ve been well or not?”

Creak, creak─!

Fierce mana surged from Hayden’s body, and simultaneously, the sword I was pressing against began to be pushed back.

“Argh…….”

This is the first time I’ve been overpowered by strength.

Probably because of the bluish aura that Hayden Reich is wearing.

Sword-body integration (合一)

Just as Julian is represented by the ‘Moonlight Sword,’ the protagonist, Hayden Reich, is represented by his aura.

The aura’s force oppresses the whole body, making it hard to move.

This is the true skill of the protagonist, a Sword Saint.

As a victim under the ‘aura’ of the protagonist, I bit my lip hard.

“Stop wielding your swords. Sir Julian! And you too, Master!”

The one who intervened between Hayden and me was Linne.

Hearing her shout, the Sword Saint glanced at Linne and slowly began to retract his aura.

“Don’t be too shocked, Linne. It was just a form of greeting.”

I also sheathed my sword and stepped back.

“It’s been a while. Have you been well?”

“Huh? Ah…?”

Linne was startled when Hayden Reich, whose appearance was sudden, asked about her well-being.

She controlled her emotions with a cough and then spoke.

“Yes, Master.”

Linne nodded with a complex expression, and Hayden smiled faintly.

“Let’s go inside for now. There’s a lot to talk about.”

Saying that, Hayden entered the villa.

Watching his vulnerable back, I felt the urge to draw my sword right then.

An unusually strong discomfort.

Even amidst that discomfort,

‘Ah!’

Fortunately, I had remembered to take the vase.

***

“Wow, I never imagined I’d see Sword Saint, Julian, and Miss Linne all gathered together like this.”

As we sat down, Ulysses, who had been talking with Hayden, spoke first.

I could see a drop of cold sweat running down his forehead.

He seemed to be pretending to be fine, but he was clearly frightened by the situation.

Sword Saint and Julian.

I would be scared too, not knowing when they might clash.

Sigh.

Linne, too, looked at the Sword Saint and me with the most tense expression she had shown so far.

Everyone knows our uncomfortable truth.

She seems to think that I could draw my sword at any moment.

“It seems you’ve developed quite a nice hobby.”

Breaking through the tense atmosphere, Hayden spoke first.

“I never imagined you’d grow orchids. I thought you disliked fiddly things like that.”

“It appears you don’t know me very well, Master.”

My tone became somewhat sarcastic.

Even though I was facing the protagonist of the long-awaited <Let’s Kill the Demon Lord>, the Sword Saint, annoyance rose before any uplifting emotions.

“Indeed, since it’s been a long time, your tastes might have changed.”

His tone implied he knew me well.

Instead, it was like pouring oil on the rising discomfort in my chest.

“Prince Ulysses, could you please give us a moment to talk with my disciples?”

“Of course, I’ll do that. Then you can resolve the grievances that have accumulated… oh, maybe not?”

Asking a royal to leave took some nerve, and as I watched Ulysses’s retreating figure, which somehow seemed smaller, a sigh escaped me.

‘Ah…?’

Sword Saint, that title carries a weight that is not light for me.

The reason that kept me attached to this game.

The source that made me angry at the developers.

And the reason why I ended up like this.

Having encountered many cultures up to now, the protagonist was the one who built up the metaphor of ‘the protagonist.’

When I heard that such a being had abandoned his duty and sought asylum in the Holy Nation, I hadn’t been this displeased.

“Now that Ulysses has also left the room, where should we start talking…?”

That discomfort began to take shape.

==

⇒ Trait, ‘Sombra,’ has detected a demon.

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”officially’ that is.…’

Prasion of the Septemviri Canonici, did not initially grasp the meaning of these words, but as they approached the border, he began to understand.

‘Are you saying it exists unofficially?’

In the Septemviri Canonici, which performs seven roles for the benefit of the Holy Nation, there are those who also engage in all sorts of dirty work.

This “dirty work,” as Julian mentioned, is “unofficial business.”

Assassinating key figures from rival nations or gathering intelligence from other countries are such tasks.

For a nation that claims sanctity as its beacon, one could point fingers at its dirtiness, but for those leading the country, these negative aspects are somewhat inevitable.

‘So… exactly when?’

Prasion mulled over Julian’s words.

It could have been dismissed as merely a jest.

Many who are intimidated by the stature of the Holy Nation tend to bluff, as he had seen before.

However, he is the ‘Smiling Executioner.’

Despite being part of the empire, he had brought infamy to the Holy Nation. Would he have spoken those words just to bluff?

‘No, it’s certain.’

Prasion guessed that he must have come for espionage in the Holy Nation.

Otherwise, he wouldn’t have shown such certainty at the crossroads just now.

“Sir Prasion, you’ve worked hard!”

Recognizing him, the border guards of the Holy Nation approached and greeted him politely.

Glancing at them, Prasion spoke.

“Tell the archbishops.”

With eyes sharp as daggers, he scanned the border guards.

Though the investigation was belated, if Julian’s espionage activities are confirmed, ‘You will die by my hand,’ he thought, his voice colder than ever.

“The envoy sent by the empire, and his escort captain, might have been engaged in espionage here.”

“Understood!”

Watching the retreating back of the border guards, Prasion shifted his gaze back to the envoys from the empire.

Specifically, he looked at ‘Julian,’ who was holding the reins at the front of the procession.

‘What were you thinking when you said those words?’

What could his ulterior motives be?

Although Prasion looked at Julian, his half-closed eyes did not easily reveal his thoughts.

Despite stepping into enemy territory amid an ongoing truce rather than a peace treaty, and carrying a nonchalant smile, no emotions could be felt from him.

***

The Holy Nation, Fernand, the capital and the main hub of the Solarian Church which worships the sun god ‘Solarun.’

If one were to describe the atmosphere of the place in one word, it would be ‘devout.’

“Many people are seen praying here. I’ve never seen such a scene before.”

Having entered Artea, Linne grasped the reins of her horse and muttered to herself. I could understand that.

Whether men or women, young or old, the sight of everyone praying to the statues of Solarun stirred something deep within.

“Being the main hub of the Solarian Church, I expected Artea to have this kind of atmosphere… but seeing it in person, it feels unfamiliar,” muttered Ulysses while riding in the carriage.

Even he, as a royal, finds this scene unfamiliar, despite his many experiences.

“If you follow this road, you will reach your destination, ‘The City of Rituals’. Perhaps, the highest officials of the Holy Nation will come out to greet His Highness Ulysses.”

“You seem quite familiar with it. You must have been to the Holy Nation before.”

To Linne’s question, I kept a calm expression, regardless of what I felt inside.

In fact, I’ve never been here before, I’ve only experienced it through ‘play’.

Ah, let’s just say I’ve been here.

As we passed along the well-maintained road, the presence of people decreased and, conversely, the grandeur of the buildings became more apparent.

The pinnacle was reached when crossing the stone bridge leading to the heart of Artea, the City of Rituals.

Thud, thud, thud.

As numerous white pigeons split the clouds and climbed the high city walls, Linne marveled and sighed.

“Wow….”

“Indeed, just as Julian said, the architectural style here has a unique charm. It could even awaken a sense of faith that wasn’t there before.”

Ulysses also admired the scene and remarked.

Should you even say that, the one who came dragging that faith?

Of course, I was surprised too.

Seeing it in real life is very different from watching it on a small monitor screen.

Hmm, well, it’s quite nice.

‘Julian’ can’t afford to show a foolishly surprised face, so I had to suppress it as much as possible inside.

As we got closer to the city, guards started to appear.

They were clad in white armor that suited the style, but their gazes at us were not kind.

“The look in their eyes isn’t friendly.”

“We are technically in a truce now, but we were enemies willing to go to war at one point.”

“Ha, right. We’re uninvited guests.”

“But isn’t it nice to see how high they’ve built the walls? It’s as if they’re afraid of our empire’s stature, scared.”

Linne looked at me with a stony face to my silly joke.

‘What are you talking about?’ That seemed to be the intent.

Of course, I know.

These high walls were built before the war with the empire.

So stark. It was just a joke.

“It’s not bad to think that way.”

But Ulysses chuckled softly.

Such jokes feel like the truth when ‘Julian’ makes them.

This guy’s reputation is like a certified check.

***

“You’ve come a long way, Prince Ulysses. I am ‘Garoth’, one of the chief ministers of Fernand.”

As we reached deep into the City of Rituals, Garoth, one of the twelve chief ministers, came out to meet us.

These are the types who wouldn’t normally budge for anything trivial, but they seem to have gotten off their seats since the prince of the empire has come.

They were dressed similarly to the priests who were with Prasion, but their ceremonial robes were slightly more elaborate.

“Nice to meet you, Chief Minister Garoth.”

“Ha, the pleasure is all mine! The prince of the Adratan Empire is as dignified as his reputation suggests.”

The prince, following the etiquette of the Holy Nation, made a greeting that seemed to please Garoth, who smiled very satisfactorily.

“Ah, did you not get lost on the way? The structure of this City of Rituals is quite complex, so it’s common for newcomers to lose their way.”

“Fortunately, my escort captain is skilled at navigating.”

As Garoth stepped forward briskly, he glanced at me upon hearing Ulysses’s words. Although he was smiling, Garoth’s gaze was not so kind.

“I envy those who are skilled in finding their way. It would be nice if we had such talents in our Holy Nation.”

His gaze was harsh, truly the look one gives to ‘unwelcome guests.’ He didn’t say it outright, but Garoth was questioning me.

‘Have you unofficially been to the Holy Nation before?’ More specifically, ‘Have you visited this City of Rituals?’

It seems he has already heard the story from Prasion.

“I’ve heard the rumors, Sir Julian. That you are one of the noble disciples of the Sword Saint.”

Knowing well that Julian and the Sword Saint have a bad relationship, he deliberately mentioned it.

I couldn’t make a scene here.

“Yes, it’s an honor to meet you too, Chief Minister Garoth.”

His eyes briefly sparkled then faded.

“So, the lady next to you must be another disciple, Miss Linne.”

As Garoth’s gaze shifted to Linne beside me, she also greeted him lightly.

“Master Hayden Reich is fortunate in his disciples. Or perhaps, it’s natural for such an outstanding person to attract good talents.”

One should never take the words of these high-ranking officials at face value. They are always political and masters of insinuation.

Perhaps what Garoth really wanted to say was,

‘With such a Sword Saint seeking asylum in the Holy Nation, many disciples of your caliber will emerge. It won’t be long before we’re at war with the Empire again.’

Unfortunately, none among us could pick up on that.

They just kept smiling proudly.

“So, Prince Ulysses. Shall we discuss the procedures for the baptism?”

Putting greetings aside, Garoth began to lead into the main topic.

“I understand that you’ve come to the Holy Nation to personally receive baptism to gather the followers of the Solarian Church that exist within the Empire.”

As expected…

Unless they’re fools, the Holy Nation also knows Ulysses’s situation.

The fourth prince, far from the line of succession.

He came all the way to the dangerous Holy Nation for the purpose of rallying the followers of the Solarian Church within the Empire to his side.

“However, regardless of such intentions, we would like to follow the formal procedures for the baptism.”

“I understand. I came here to follow the rituals.”

“Ha ha, thank you. Then let’s proceed immediately.”

Garoth smiled slightly and led the way, with Ulysses following him.

As the person I was guarding moved, Linne and I were about to follow when.

“Ah, the baptism is to be received by Prince Ulysses alone, so I would ask the two of you to wait here.”

Garoth was refusing Linne’s and my accompaniment.

“That won’t be possible. Although the baptism is important, he is the prince of the Empire. As his guard, it would be difficult for me to comply.”

I naturally refused Garoth’s request.

Since an incident had already occurred on the train, I did not expect this place to be safe either.

“Exactly! As I heard, Sir Julian, your loyalty is indeed remarkable.”

Loyalty, my foot! If something happens, it’s my neck on the line.

“However, you must follow our rules. The moment you entered the Holy Nation, your lives became as fragile as a fly’s.”

Garoth issued a warning, his expression more serious than before.

“No! We are diplomats from the Empire! We deserve the appropriate treatment…”

I raised my hand to calm Linne, who was becoming infuriated.

He’s right. From the moment we entered here, our lives naturally came under the jurisdiction of the Holy Nation.

No matter how strong someone is, they can’t win against a nation.

Clink!

My hand moved and made a loud noise as it touched the scabbard.

Such a noise is not suitable in this sacred place.

I held the scabbard quietly, contemplating how to defuse the situation.

“A life as fragile as a fly’s… huh.”

I uttered the words to buy some time and gave a small laugh.

“Ha, haha, just a joke. Just this once, I’ll allow you both to observe as well.”

Huh? Suddenly? What brought this on?

Although I didn’t know the reason, seeing Garoth sweating, I nodded as if it were only natural.

“Thank you for your consideration, Chief Minister Garoth.”

***

Clang!

After finishing the prince’s baptism, Garoth entered his office and angrily pushed the candlestick on his desk aside.

“Where is the Sword Saint now?”

Muttering to himself, Garoth shifted his gaze to the cleric in the room.

“He’s checking the state of the Solitude Tower and should be on his way back.”

“Phew…”

Upon hearing the cleric’s words, Garoth let out a short sigh.

“To think he’s not only created that insane place but goes there almost every day to manage it, it seems the Sword Saint’s reputation has indeed hit rock bottom.”

Garoth spoke with a voice full of frustration and leaned back in his chair.

“Damn him.”

Then, the image of ‘Slit-Eye’ from the execution stand earlier began to form in his mind.

The way I held the scabbard seemed almost like a threat not to allow our company, as if saying I would strike if we were not permitted.

“‘A life as fragile as a fly’s… huh.’

Moreover, Julian’s response to his warning seemed almost to mockingly question, ‘Do you find that amusing?’

– ‘I know what you’re thinking.’

-Think about the reason I mentioned for unofficially visiting here.

Even words Julian hadn’t spoken seemed to echo in his ears.

“Tch…”

Garoth clicked his tongue internally.

Although other chief ministers opposed admitting the prince of the Empire, Garoth had pushed forward with this matter, disregarding the means.

The reason was.

“Could it be, you knew?”

The prince was brainwashed to be under his control, to be used when necessary. 

For this purpose, a ‘relic’ was also prepared in the holy city. 

The plan was to proceed quietly during the baptism, but it was thwarted by Julian’s presence. 

‘He must have reacted that way because he knew,’ Garot bit his lip slightly. 

“Archdeacon Garoth, what will you do now? Since you couldn’t lay a hand on the imperial prince at the baptism, there might be no other way…” 

“The other archdeacons are also turning their attention here. If we don’t clean this up quickly, they might realize that the relic has been taken out from the holy repository.” 

Worried, Garoth glanced at the priests and made a decision. 

“Summon the Black Guards.” 

Upon hearing the command to summon the Black Guards, a group tasked with dark deeds among the Seven Voices of the Court, the priests were startled. 

“If you call them, there will inevitably be bloodshed, Lord Garoth!” 

“It’s fine. If we brainwash Ulysses, it can be made to seem as if nothing happened.” 

“And the other two…” 

At the priest’s question, Garoth grinned chillingly. 

“On their way back to the empire, they were killed by a demon attack… That scenario should be believable enough.” 

Demons, called the enemies of mankind. Isn’t it fairly common for a diplomatic delegation to be annihilated by a demon attack on their way home? 

If they die outside the sacred nation’s territory, it wouldn’t be their fault, which would be perfect. 

Garoth smiled broadly, anticipating all scenarios. 

A sinister and vile smile.

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